JP6176778B2 - Tidal power generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tidal power generator. More specifically, it is a tidal power generation device that performs tidal power generation using a water flow caused by tide fullness, which is renewable energy.

  In recent years, there are problems such as depletion of resources and safety of nuclear power generation, and attention has been focused on power generation using renewable energy. As renewable energy, for example, solar power generation, wind power generation, etc. have already been put into practical use, but the power generation amount of these energies varies depending on the weather. For this reason, it has a problem that it is difficult to perform stable power generation.

  As renewable energy other than those mentioned above, there is tidal power generation using a water flow caused by tide fullness. Since the tide fullness can be predicted in its direction and flow velocity, tidal power generation can supply more stable energy than renewable energy as described above.

  Conventional tidal current power generation generally uses a tidal current in a deep part by installing a power generation propeller, water turbine, or the like on the seabed. However, such a propeller installed at such a deep depth has a huge installation cost and is difficult to maintain. In addition, the installation of structures on the seabed may affect the surrounding ecosystem. Specifically, the installation itself is difficult because of the fishery rights, etc., because it may affect the fish habitat of the seabed.

  On the other hand, a technique for generating electricity by operating a water wheel by a surface water flow over a water surface has been developed (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Patent Document 1 includes a float that floats on a water surface with a water flow, mooring means for mooring the float at a predetermined position, a rotation shaft that is rotatably provided on the float so as to be orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the float, A water wheel provided at the end of the rotary shaft, a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the rotary shaft, a generator provided on the float and connected to the transmission mechanism, and the water turbine in the vertical direction via the rotary shaft There is disclosed a power generation apparatus using a water flow comprising lifting and lowering means that can be moved to the outside. And in patent document 1, according to said electric power generating apparatus, there exists description that electric power can be easily obtained only by floating in the place with the flow of water.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a tidal current power generation apparatus in which two water channels are passed from the bow to the stern of the hull, a water wheel is provided in each water channel, and the water wheel is connected to a generator. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228688 describes that one of the water turbines provided in the two waterways always rotates even if the direction of the tidal current changes.

JP 2003-97406 A JP 2003-97406 A

  However, the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are formed based on the idea that if a power generation device having a water wheel is floated on the surface of a water or tidal current, the water wheel can be rotated and power can be generated. However, no consideration is given to the power generation efficiency in actual power generation.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a tidal power generator that can realize highly efficient power generation using a tidal current.

Tidal power device of the first invention is a power generator for generating power by utilizing the water flow in a state of floating on the water surface, which is formed a flow path for introducing the water flow, a body floating in a plurality of water surface, the A water wheel in which the rotation shaft is positioned above the water surface in the flow channel and is arranged to rotate by the water flow in the flow channel, and a power generation mechanism that converts the rotational energy of the water wheel into electric power The body includes a posture stabilizing member that generates a buoyancy that pushes upward an end of the water flow into the flow path, and the flow path in the main body is the flow path of the flow path. The bottom is open, and a pair of opposite side surfaces forming the flow path are formed at the end of the flow path so as to approach each other inward from the end of the flow path , A water flow having an upward velocity component is generated at the end of the channel. Riser forming mechanism is formed, the rising stream formation mechanism, a connecting member upper surface for connecting the end bottom of the channel formed on the inclined surface of the upper inclined inwardly, the connecting The member is characterized in that the length of the flow path in the axial direction is shorter than the length of the flow path in the axial direction .
Tidal power device of the second invention is the first invention, before Symbol upward flow forming mechanism, in a state where the axial direction of the channel has become horizontal, so that the inclined surface is 30 ° to the horizontal It is provided in.
The tidal power generator according to a third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the main body includes a posture stabilizing member that generates buoyancy that pushes upward an end portion on the side where water flows into the flow path. It is characterized by.
A tidal power generator according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the first, second or third aspect, wherein the main body is formed of a plurality of floating bodies elongated in the axial direction, and the plurality of floating bodies are adjacent to the floating bodies. The axial directions are arranged so as to be parallel to each other.

According to the first aspect of the invention, if the water turbine is rotated by the water flow flowing into the flow path, power can be generated by the rotational energy. Further, since the pair of side surfaces of the flow path are formed so as to approach each other inward from the end of the flow path, the flow rate of the water flow inside the flow path can be increased. In addition, since an upward flow forming mechanism that generates a water flow having an upward velocity component is formed at the end of the flow channel, the effect of increasing the water flow inside the flow channel can be further enhanced. Therefore, compared with the case where the apparatus having a water wheel is simply floated on the water surface and the water wheel is rotated, the power generation efficiency by the rotation of the water wheel can be increased. Moreover, since the main body is only floated on the water surface, the power generator can be easily maintained. Since the upward flow forming mechanism has an inclined surface that is inclined upward, by flowing water along the inclined surface, a water flow having an upward velocity component (upward flow) is reliably formed with less resistance. be able to. Further, since the posture stabilizing member can suppress the sinking of the tip of the main body due to the upward flow forming mechanism generating the upward flow, a stable water flow can be supplied into the flow path. And since the attitude | position of the waterwheel with respect to the water surface can be maintained in an appropriate state, a watermill can be rotated in the stable state and power generation efficiency can be made high.
According to the second invention, since the inclined slopes are formed in an appropriate angle, the upward flow being formed can enhance the effect of rotating the water wheel, it is possible to increase the power generation efficiency.
According to the third aspect of the invention , since the force that lifts the main body tip is generated by the wing-like member, the sinking of the main body tip can be suppressed.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention , the structure of the main body can be simplified, so that maintainability and the like can be improved.

It is a schematic side view of the tidal power generator 1 of this embodiment. It is a schematic plan view of the tidal power generation device 1 of the present embodiment. It is a schematic front view of the tidal power generator 1 of this embodiment. It is the IV-IV line arrow directional view of FIG. It is a schematic plan view of the tidal power generator 1 of other embodiment. It is a schematic front view of the tidal power generator 1 of other embodiment.

  The tidal power generation device of the present invention is a power generation device that uses a water flow generated on the sea or a river, and can generate power while floating on the water surface, so that it can generate power with high efficiency. It has the feature in having done.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a tidal power generator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 2 has shown the main body of the tidal power generator 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 2 includes a pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 and a pair of connecting members 4 and 4 that connect the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of floating bodies 3, 3 are members formed in a hollow box shape, and are formed so as to generate buoyancy to the extent that a portion appearing on the water surface WL is generated when it floats on the water surface WL. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 are separated by a pair of connecting members 4 and 4 so that the axial directions (the left and right directions in FIG. 2) are parallel to each other in a state of being spaced apart. It is connected. That is, the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 are connected by the pair of connecting members 4 and 4 so as to form a flow path 2h through which a water flow can pass between the surfaces of the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 facing each other. . The channel 2h is formed so that its axial direction CL is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3.

  Then, at both ends in the axial direction of the pair of floating bodies 3, 3, the inner surfaces facing each other are formed so as to approach each other inward from the ends (substantially in a V shape in plan view). . That is, inclined surfaces 3s that are inclined with respect to the axial direction of the floating body 3 (in other words, the axial direction CL of the flow path 2h) are formed at both axial ends of the inner surfaces of the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 that face each other. Yes.

  Then, since the width of the flow path 2h is gradually narrowed from the inlet of the flow path 2h, the flow speed of the water flow can be increased as the water flow flows into the flow path 2h. Moreover, since the inner surfaces facing each other are inclined surfaces 3s at the ends of the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3, even when the width of the flow path 2h is reduced, the resistance when the water flow flows into the flow path 2h is reduced. Can be small.

  The inclination angle θ1 of the inclined surface 3s (the angle formed with respect to the axial direction CL of the flow path 2h, see FIG. 2) is not particularly limited. However, in order to increase the effect of increasing the water flow while suppressing the resistance of the water flow applied to the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3, the inclination angle θ1 is preferably about 3 to 20 degrees, more preferably about 5 to 15 degrees, About 10 to 12 degrees is more preferable.

  The mutually facing inner surfaces of the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 correspond to “a pair of opposite side surfaces forming a flow path” in the claims.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a water wheel 5 is disposed in the flow path 2 h between the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3.
1-3, the code | symbol 5a has shown the rotating shaft of the water turbine 5. In FIG. A plurality of blades 5c are fixed to the rotating shaft 5a via blade fixing members 5b. The plurality of blades 5c are plate-like members, and are arranged so as to be radially arranged around the rotation shaft 5a and at equal angular intervals around the rotation shaft 5a.

And as for the water turbine 5, the both ends of the rotating shaft 5a are rotatably supported by a pair of floating bodies 3 and 3, respectively. Specifically, when a water flow is generated in the flow path 2h, the water wheel 5 is arranged in the flow path 2h so that the plurality of blades 5c receive the water flow and rotate.
For example, if the diameter D of the water turbine 5 (distance between the tips of the blades 5c, see FIG. 3) is 1600 mm, the tidal power generator 1 of the present embodiment is substantially parallel to the water surface when floating on a water surface without water flow. Further, the water turbine 5 is disposed so that the rotary shaft 5 is positioned on the water surface and the distance L (see FIG. 3) from the water surface to the rotary shaft 5a is about 100 to 150 mm.
In addition, the rotating shaft 5a of the water turbine 5 is disposed so as to be parallel to the water surface when the tidal power generator 1 of the present embodiment is floated on a water surface without water flow.

In addition, the power generation mechanism 10 is connected to one end of the rotating shaft 5a. The power generation mechanism 10 includes a speed increaser in which the rotary shaft 5a is connected via a transmission mechanism (for example, a belt pulley mechanism, a chain / sprocket mechanism, etc.), and a power generator connected to the speed increaser. For this reason, when the water turbine 5 is rotated by the water flow and the rotating shaft 5a rotates, the rotational energy of the rotating shaft 5a is transmitted to the generator through the transmission mechanism and the speed increaser, so that the generator can generate electric power. .
The generated electricity may be directly supplied to the outside (for example, a coastal area or an adjacent island) by a power transmission line or the like, or may be stored in the main body 2 by providing a storage battery.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the tidal power generator 1 of this embodiment is provided with the upflow formation mechanism 20 in the vicinity of the end of the flow path 2h. This upward flow forming mechanism 20 changes the direction of the water flow flowing into the flow path 2h to generate a water flow (upflow) having an upward velocity component. Specifically, the upward flow forming mechanism 20 is provided with a connecting member 21 that connects the lower ends of the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3, and the upper part of the connecting member 21 faces inward from the end of the flow path. And an inclined surface 21a inclined upward. For example, the connecting member 21 made of a plate-like member having a flat upper surface is disposed between the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3, and the surface of the tidal power generation device 1 of the present embodiment is a water surface without water flow. It is provided so as to be inclined with respect to a plane parallel to the water surface when floated (hereinafter referred to as a horizontal plane). Then, the upper surface of the connecting member 21 can be the inclined surface 21a.

  And since this inclined surface 21a is provided in the flow path 2h, in addition to the effect of increasing the flow velocity by the inclined surface 3s, the effect of increasing the flow velocity of the water flow in the water channel 2h by the upward flow can be obtained. . Then, since the water flow in the water channel 2h can be made faster, the power generation effect by the water turbine 5 can be further enhanced. In addition, the tidal water pressure concentration effect can be obtained by forming the upward flow.

  Moreover, since the upward flow is formed by flowing water along the inclined surface 21a, the upward flow can be reliably formed with a small amount of resistance, and the resistance when generating the upward flow can be reduced. Can do.

  Since it has the above structure, according to the tidal power generator 1 of this embodiment, a water flow can be made to flow in into the flow path 2h only by floating the main body 2 on the water surface which has a water flow. And if the water turbine 5 is rotated by this water flow, it can generate electric power with the rotational energy. Moreover, since the tidal power generation device 1 is only floating on the water surface, it can be easily lifted to the land to be moved, so that maintenance can be easily performed.

  Further, the inner surfaces facing each other of the pair of floating bodies 3, 3 forming the flow path 2h have inclined surfaces 3s that approach each other inward from the end portions thereof, and the water flow that has flowed into the flow path 2h Can be increased compared to the flow rate before entering the flow path 2h. In addition, since the upward flow forming mechanism 20 that generates the upward water flow is provided, the effect of increasing the water flow can be further enhanced. Therefore, the power generation efficiency due to the rotation of the water wheel 5 can be increased as compared with the case where the water wheel is rotated by simply floating a device having a water wheel on the water surface.

  As described above, the angle formed by the inclined surface 21a in the upward flow forming mechanism 20 with respect to the horizontal plane is not particularly limited. For example, the angle θ2 (see FIG. 4) formed with respect to the horizontal plane is preferably about 10 to 35 degrees, more preferably about 25 to 35 degrees, and further preferably about 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. If the inclined surface 21a is disposed at such an angle, the effect of rotating the water turbine by the formed upward flow can be enhanced, and the power generation efficiency can be increased. For example, if the inclined surface 21a is about 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, the power generation efficiency can be improved by about 30% compared to the case where the upward flow forming mechanism 20 is not provided.

(Attitude stabilization member 30)
As described above, since the upward flow forming mechanism 20 is provided, an upward flow can be formed in the flow path 2h, so that the power generation efficiency can be increased by increasing the flow velocity of the water flow, while the upward flow is formed. As a reaction force, a force that pushes down an end portion (hereinafter referred to as a tip) of the main body 2 on the side into which the water flow flows is generated (in other words, a force that sinks the end portion of the main body 2 downward). When the reaction force increases, the tip of the main body 2 may sink and the main body 2 may tilt. And when the inclination of the main body 2 arises, the relative position of the water turbine 5 and the water surface changes, the efficiency of converting the water flow 5 into the rotation of the water turbine decreases, and the power generation efficiency may also decrease. That is, there is a possibility that the improvement in power generation efficiency due to the increase in the flow velocity of the water flow caused by the upward flow is offset by the inclination of the main body 2 due to the reaction force caused by the increase in the flow velocity.

  In order to prevent such a problem, it is preferable to provide the body 2 with a posture stabilizing member that generates buoyancy that pushes the tip of the body 2 upward. If such a posture stabilizing member is provided, it is possible to prevent the tip of the main body 2 from sinking and to suppress the inclination of the main body 2, thereby preventing a decrease in power generation efficiency improved by an increase in the flow velocity of the water flow caused by the upward flow. be able to.

  The structure of the posture stabilizing member is not particularly limited. However, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the wing-shaped member 30 can be provided on both outer side surfaces of the main body 2 to form the posture stabilizing member. The shape of the wing-like member 30 may be a shape that can exhibit the functions described above. For example, if the cross-sectional shape is equivalent to that of a general airplane wing, a downward flow caused by a water flow can be formed, and thus the above-described function can be exhibited.

  Further, the position where the wing-like member 30 is provided is not particularly limited, but it is desirable that the wing-like member 30 be disposed at a position as shown in FIGS. That is, the wing-like members 30a and 30b are provided on both side surfaces near both ends of the main body 2, respectively. Then, the wing-like members 30a and 30b are arranged so that both are in an inverted C shape in a side view (see FIG. 6). With this arrangement, with respect to the water flow from the right direction, the wing-like member 30b cancels the force that pushes down the right end portion of the main body 2 caused by the generation of the upward flow, that is, the right end portion of the main body 2 moves upward. A pushing force can be generated. On the other hand, for the water flow from the left direction, the wing-like member 30a generates a force that cancels the force that pushes down the left end portion of the main body 2 caused by the generation of the upward flow, that is, a force that pushes the left end portion of the main body 2 upward. Can be made.

  Moreover, if the wing-like members 30a and 30b are arranged on both side surfaces in the vicinity of both ends of the main body 2, the wing-like member 30a generates a force for pushing the left end of the main body 2 downward with respect to the water flow from the right direction. Can be made. On the contrary, with respect to the water flow from the left direction, the wing-like member 30b can generate a force that pushes down the right end portion of the main body 2 downward. That is, if the wing-like members 30a and 30b are arranged so that both are in the shape of an inverted letter C when viewed from the side, the posture of the main body 2 is almost the same as when only one of the wing-like members 30a and 30b is provided. The effect of maintaining the level can be enhanced.

  In addition, when introducing a water flow into the flow path 2h only from one direction, only one of the wing-like members 30a and 30b may be provided. For example, only the wing member 30b may be provided when the water flow is introduced into the flow path 2h only from the right direction, and only the wing member 30a may be provided when the water flow is introduced into the flow path 2h only from the left direction. However, even when the water flow is introduced into the flow path 2h only from one direction, if both the wing-like members 30a and 30b are provided, the effect of maintaining the posture of the main body 2 substantially horizontal can be enhanced as described above. This is preferable because it is possible.

(About posture stability)
In addition, when the main body 2 tilts in the width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3), the rotating shaft 5a of the water turbine 5 tilts from the horizontal plane, and power generation efficiency may decrease. For this reason, in order to prevent the inclination of the main body 2 in the width direction, it is preferable to provide a plate-like member at the lower end of the main body 2 (the lower end of the floating body 3 in FIGS. 1 and 3). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, if a plate-like member 3 b extending along the axial direction of the floating body 3 is provided, the inclination of the main body 2 in the width direction can be prevented.

  Moreover, when the main body 2 is formed by a pair of floating bodies 3, 3, if both the floating bodies 3 have the same weight, the rotation shaft 5 a of the water wheel 5 may be parallel to the horizontal plane when floating on the water surface. it can. However, if the power generation mechanism 10 is provided only on one floating body 3 as in the tidal power generation apparatus 1 described above, the main body 2 is inclined. Of course, if each of the floating bodies 3 is provided with the power generation mechanism 10 having the same structure, the main body 2 can be made horizontal, but the structure of the tidal power generation device 1 becomes complicated. Therefore, when the power generation mechanism 10 is provided only on one floating body 3, it is desirable to install a counterweight on the other floating body 3 to balance the main body 2.

(About connecting member 4)
The position at which the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 are connected by the pair of connecting members 4 and 4 is not particularly limited. However, if the axial ends of the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 are connected by the pair of connecting members 4 and 4, the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 can be connected in a stable state.

  The shape and structure of the pair of connecting members 4 and 4 are not particularly limited as long as the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 can be connected in a stable state. For example, as the pair of connecting members 4 and 4, the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 can be connected using a shaft-like member or a plate-like member.

(About main unit 2)
Furthermore, although the case where the main body 2 has a pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 was described in the above example, the number of the floating bodies 3 forming the main body 2 is not particularly limited. For example, three or more floating bodies 3 may be provided. In this case, since a plurality of flow paths 2h can be provided, a plurality of water turbines 10 can also be provided, and the power generation amount can be increased.

  Furthermore, the main body 2 may be formed by only one floating body, and a groove may be provided in the floating body to form the flow path 2h. For example, a U-shaped or V-shaped groove in front view may be provided in the floating body to form the flow path 2h. However, if the main body 2 has a structure in which a plurality of floating bodies 3 are connected, the structure of the main body 2 can be simplified, so that the maintainability and the like can be improved.

(About inclined surface 3s)
In the above example, the case where the inclined surfaces 3 s are formed at both axial ends of the inner surfaces of the pair of floating bodies 3 and 3 facing each other has been described. However, on the inner surface of the floating body 3, Only the inclined surface 3s may be formed. In this case, the tidal current power generator 1 may be arranged so that the water flow always flows into the flow path 2h from one end side of the floating body 3.

  On the other hand, if power generation can be performed when the water turbine 5 rotates in any direction, power generation is possible regardless of the flow of water from any direction into the flow path 2h. In such a case, the inclined surfaces 3s may be formed at both axial ends of the inner surface of the floating body 3 as in the above example. Then, if the tidal power generator 1 of this embodiment is arranged in a place where the direction of the water flow is opposite (for example, a place where the flow of the tide changes), the power generation can be continued even if the direction of the water flow changes. This is preferable because it is possible.

  The tidal power generation device of the present invention is suitable as a device for generating power by utilizing a water current such as the sea or a river.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tidal power generator 2 Main body 2h Flow path 3 Floating body 3s Inclined surface 5 Water wheel 5a Rotating shaft 5c Blade 10 Power generation mechanism 20 Upflow formation mechanism 21 Connecting member 21a Inclined surface 30 Wing-like member

Claims (4)

A power generation device that generates electricity using a water flow in a state of floating on the water surface,
A flow path for introducing a water flow is formed, a body floating in a plurality of water surface,
In the flow channel, a rotating shaft is located above the water surface in the flow channel, and a water wheel arranged to rotate by the water flow in the flow channel,
A power generation mechanism that converts rotational energy of the water wheel into electric power;
With
The body is
A posture stabilizing member for generating a buoyancy that pushes upward an end on the side where water flows into the flow path;
The flow path in the main body is
The bottom of the flow path is open, and a pair of opposite side surfaces forming the flow path are formed at the end of the flow path so as to approach each other inward from the end of the flow path. And
At the end of the flow path, an upward flow forming mechanism that generates a water flow having an upward velocity component is formed ,
The upward flow forming mechanism is
A connecting member that connects the lower ends of the flow paths formed on an inclined surface whose upper surface is inclined upward inward;
The connecting member is
A tidal power generator characterized in that the length of the flow path in the axial direction is shorter than the length of the flow path in the axial direction . The upward flow forming mechanism is
2. The tidal power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the inclined surface is provided at 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal in a state where the axial direction of the flow path is horizontal. The posture stabilizing member is
The tidal power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the tidal power generator is a wing-like member disposed on both outer surfaces of the main body. The body is
It is formed from a plurality of floating bodies that are long in the axial direction,
The plurality of floating bodies are:
4. A tidal power generator according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent floating bodies are arranged so that axial directions thereof are parallel to each other.

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